HBV Vaccine in Renal Failure Patients

Hepatitis B virus infection remains an important clinical issue among patients on renal replacement therapy. Seroconversion rate as defined by an anti-HBs Ab titer \> 10 IU/L after intramuscular hepatitis B vaccination (HBVv) remains poor in this cohort. Factors associated with inadequate anti-HBs response include older age, diabetes mellitus, obesity and low hepatitis B vaccine dose. Various small-scale studies including multiple high dose intramuscular vaccination or multiple small dose intradermal vaccination were attempted with variable response. Recent study on dose sparing seasonal influenza vaccine delivered via a novel intradermal microneedle has demonstrated good immunogenic responses similar to full-dose intramuscular vaccination. Imiquimod, a synthetic TLR7 agonist useful for the treatment of DNA virus infection, has been shown to improve vaccine immunogenicity. The investigators therefore propose a prospective, randomized study to compare the safety and immunogenicity of intradermal hepatitis B vaccination with this novel device with intramuscular in patients on renal replacement therapy.